Review Article Diagnostic imaging features of necrotizing enterocolitis: a narrative review Francesco Esposito1, Rosanna Mamone1, Marco Di Serafino2, Carmela Mercogliano3, Valerio Vitale4, Gianfranco Vallone5, Patrizia Oresta1 1Department of Radiology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children Hospital, Naples; Italy; 2Department of Emergency Radiology, 3Department of Neonatology, San Carlo Hospital, Potenza; Italy; 4Department of Imaging and Radiation therapy, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale di Lecco, A. Manzoni Hospital, Lecco, Italy; 5Department of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Diagnostics, University Hospital “Federico II”, Naples, Italy Correspondence to: Dr. Francesco Esposito. Santobono Hospital, Via M. Fiore, 6, 80100 Napoli, Naples, Italy. Email:
[email protected]. Abstract: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory process, characterized by intestinal necrosis of variable extension, leading to perforation, generalized peritonitis and death. The classical pathogenetic theory focuses on mucosal damage related to a stress induced intestinal ischemia leading to mucosal injury and bacterial colonization of the wall. A more recent hypothesis emphasizes the role of immaturity of gastrointestinal and immune system, particularly of the premature, responsible of bowel wall vulnerability and suffering. NEC is the most common gastrointestinal emergency in the newborn, with a higher incidence in the preterm; improvement of neonatal resuscitation techniques enables the survival of premature of very low birth weight (VLBW) with prolongation